Chapter 273 Body and Sword as 1, Slaying Demons and Monsters

Moreover, Eldrin sensed that in such an environment, the shadowy Demonic Fiend Qi was constantly attempting to invade their meridians. Should this battle drag on too long, there was a real danger of baleful energy infiltrating their bodies, potentially corrupting even their internal spiritual power.

Under such circumstances, a Foundation Establishment cultivator would find their true essence contaminated within just 1 shichen (2 hours), while a Purple Mansion cultivator could likely endure for no more than 3 shichen. Even a Golden Core Adept would probably succumb to contamination within a few days.

Once the true essence and spiritual power become contaminated, it becomes a grave predicament. The longer 1 is tainted by this Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root), the more deeply entrenched it grows—so much so that it may even drive 1 to the brink of demonic possession.

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator were to remain here for 3 hours, they would likely need to spend the next 60 years purging the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) from their system.

Elder Zhang also sensed the impending danger, his expression turning grave as he declared in a resonant voice, "Everyone, we must conclude this swiftly. Regardless of the outcome, we must emerge within 3 shichen."

Nearly a 1000 Foundation Establishment cultivators present grimaced in unison upon hearing this. Remaining here for 3 hours would likely severely hinder their future cultivation paths.

Seeing their expressions shift slightly, Lyra furrowed her brow, sensing the need to ignite their fighting spirit. "Foundation Establishment cultivators may withdraw after battling here for 2 hours," she declared, "or upon accumulating 1,000 merit points."

With just a few words from the 2 Elders, the rules were amended, and all the Foundation Establishment cultivators present breathed a sigh of relief.

Although 1,000 merit points seemed exceptionally difficult to obtain, it wasn't an impossible task. 1 merely needed to eliminate a single Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator or a 100 Qi Refining demonic cultivators to achieve this.

Even if that proves impossible, staying for 2 hours, though still perilous, would allow the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) to be eradicated within 20 years.

Swiftly steadying the army's morale, Lyra (Person Name) continued, "The demonic leaders possess only 3 Golden Cores. Their strength pales in comparison to ours—they can only contend with us by relying on the power of the Demonic Spring."

"Let us swiftly charge into the Demonic Spring and crush the demonic cultivators in 1 decisive strike."

The Demon Cave's tunnels branched out in all directions, with 3 separate passages all leading to the demonic spring where they could launch their assault.

Time was of the essence. To maximize the effectiveness of exterminating the demonic cultivators and prevent them from evading or stalling within the Devil's Lair Cave, the several Ancestors split into 3 groups. Each led several 100 cultivators and charged forward along their respective paths, cutting down everything in their way.

Among the group, Lyra (Person Name) had traveled alongside Spirit Enchantress all this way, leading cultivators from the Celestial Ruins Alliance and the Violet Abyss Sect to charge toward the leftmost passage.

Elder Zhang, being the most powerful cultivator present and wielding the Heaven-Spanning Sword, led the Heaven-Spanning Sword Sect’s forces straight through the central path in a fierce assault.

Venerable Sage Taicang (Person Name) joined forces with Taiqing Zhenren (Person Name), leading the cultivators of the Cangqing Immortal Sect (Sect Name) in a fierce assault from the right flank.

The forces along all 3 fronts were immensely powerful. Even if the 3 old fiends of the Demon Cave Grotto were to launch a full-scale assault, there would be no risk of collapse in the short term.

If even 1 group manages to fight their way into the core Demonic Spring of the Devil's Cave and suppress it with a Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure, the demonic cultivators will surely crumble in this battle.

For that Dark Spring was the very source of the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) within the Devil's Cave Abyss. By suppressing it even temporarily, the demonic cultivators would be deprived of the amplifying power of the Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root).

By then, everyone would have regained their peak strength, and Elder Zhang would be able to wield the Sky-Piercing Sword to slay the Golden Core old demon.

To return to our story, Lyra (Person Name) led the vanguard at the front. The Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword erupted with blade after blade of sword energy, howling through the air as it struck down 1 demonic cultivator after another in the void.

Those Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators were no match for a Golden Core Realm expert. They could only flee for their lives desperately, using the terrain to their advantage.

Eldrin followed closely behind the Bianzhou Prefectural Mansion, the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss itself being a pure yang immortal sword whose power had increased substantially after advancing to the fourth rank.

In a flash, he merged with his sword, transforming into a blade aura that shot forth with a piercing whistle. Cloaked in raging Li Fire, it carved a path of destruction—whether they were Qi Refining demonic cultivators or Foundation Building demonic cultivators, all were struck down instantly with a single blow.

The army pressed forward for a quarter of an hour, advancing hundreds of miles deep into the Demonic Abyss Cave before finally encountering the blockade of the demonic cultivators' forces.

Obviously, the several Golden Core old devils would not simply watch them charge into the Demonic Spring, intending to exploit the labyrinthine terrain of the demonic lair to stall for time.

Yan the Demonic Elder and his companions knew full well that once 3 hours had passed, Foundation Establishment cultivators would be forced to retreat, while even Purple Mansion experts would struggle to endure much longer.

By then, even with several Golden Core cultivators present, they would likely be forced to retreat—facing unfavorable conditions, the deep-rooted defenses of the Demon Cavern, and the onslaught of tens of thousands of demonic cultivators.

"Damn, it's the Cave Lord of the Demon Abyss."

Eldrin gazed at the cultivator blocking his path, his expression involuntarily tightening.

The Cave Lord of the Demon Abyss possessed cultivation at the seventh level of the Golden Core realm. Within the depths of the Demon Abyss Cave, the power he could unleash even rivaled that of an eighth-level Golden Core cultivator.

At this moment, he stood blocking the path with several dozen Zifu cultivators, clearly intending to crush Lyra (Person Name) and her contingent of fighters.

"Be careful."

Lyra (Person Name) murmured under her breath before summoning the Heavenly Ruins Immortal-Slaying Sword (Magic Treasure) to strike. Spirit Princess (Person Name) swiftly followed suit, joining forces to besiege the Demon Cave Lord (Person Name).

Eldrin felt a trace of concern in his heart, yet he understood he could hardly intervene in a battle between Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators.

With his current cultivation level and 2 fourth-stage magic treasures, his strength could barely rival more than half of a Golden Core cultivator. Yet, a single misstep in the presence of a Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert would spell imminent peril.

Fortunately, Lyra had recently broken through to the Golden Core, 3rd Tier. Her spiritual power now rivaled that of a sixth-level Golden Core cultivator. Coupled with her possession of the Qingyang Demon-Suppressing Pagoda and the Mirror of the Vast Heaven, she should be more than capable of dealing with the Abyssal Cave Lord.

Suppressing his thoughts, Eldrin exchanged a glance with Xavier and the others beside him, an inexplicable flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes.

The Cave Master of the Demon Cave thought they were the weakest, yet he never realized this team's strength was actually 3 parts greater.

The Sky Ruins Alliance had gained 3 new False Core cultivators. Combined with Eldrin and the old clan leader, their combat prowess was truly remarkable. The Violet Abyss Sect also had 1 False Core cultivator of their own.

With the combined strength of 6 False Core combatants, they could barely hold their own against 1 or 2 Golden Core, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators.

Eldrin charged at the forefront, leading the group as they surged forward to clash with the horde of demonic cultivators ahead.

The moment the battle commenced, the demonic cultivators' momentum was instantly blunted. Eldrin, merging his form with his sword, pierced through the foremost foe. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss descended with overwhelming force, cleaving through a dozen or so Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators on the spot.

"Damn, it's Body-Sword Union!"

"Still a cultivator practicing the Pure Yang Art."

Several Zifu-stage demonic cultivators were inwardly horrified. The newcomer wielded a fourth-tier immortal sword—moreover, a Pure Yang Immortal Sword, the very bane of demonic practitioners—leaving them utterly intimidated.

The leading demonic cultivator, a Purple Palace, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert, stepped forward and declared, "This man is no Golden Core cultivator. Even with a fourth-tier immortal sword, he cannot sustain its power for long."

"Rather than letting him slaughter at will, we should take advantage of his isolated position and join forces to exhaust the power of his immortal sword before surrounding and eliminating him."

A group of Zifu-stage demonic cultivators found this reasoning sound and immediately closed in with dozens of fellow practitioners.

Only 1 person remained unfazed, quietly retreating half a step—none other than Elder Hong.

The Sword-Body Unity revealed only the immortal sword, not the wielder—yet as the saying goes, a person’s reputation casts a shadow like a towering tree.

The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure) had shaken the entire Chu Kingdom (Location) with its might. Even before ascending to the fourth rank, it had ranked among the top 10 divine weapons on the Celestial Armaments List. Although the Elder Demon Hong had never crossed blades directly with Eldrin (Person Name), to witness this sword was to behold its master. With but a glance, he recognized precisely whose hand wielded it.

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